Leading Prince William County Democrats are questioning whether Chairman Corey Stewart went too far when he asked Congress to give local governments broad new measures to rein in illegal immigration.

After briefing the board on what he planned to say before a U.S. House subcommittee addressing illegal immigration, Stewart strengthened his language and proposed new authority to address the issue.

Stewart called for broad local powers to fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, fine employers who hire them and arrest illegal immigrants on immigration violations. The controversial Prince William County immigration resolution that the board unanimously approved in July advanced separate authority.

“We had approved his testimony before he went to the Hill, and I understand he deviated a little bit from it. I would like to hear from him,” said John D. Jenkins, a Democrat representing the Neabsco District.

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But Stewart said he extended the board a courtesy by passing along a draft of his comments.

“I made changes to it and made it tougher. I’m sorry that Supervisor Jenkins does not appear to be on board with taking tougher measures,” Stewart said, adding, “It’s my speech, and I’m going to be pushing for the toughest anti-illegal immigration measures in the country.”

Stewart’s Democratic challenger, former County Attorney Sharon Pandak, accused Stewart on Tuesday of missing the chance to make a better-organized push for the federal funding to support the county’s needs on the plans it is already attempting to implement, instead of asking for additional power.

“He wasted an opportunity to talk to the federal government about the pressing concerns we are experiencing in Prince William County,” Pandak said.

Stewart said his written testimony addressed county requests for more deportation and detention assistance and said he’s proud of the national leadership role the county has taken.

Citing a new congressional bill aiming to expand the partnership between local governments and federal immigration authorities, Stewart said, “I think it’s already having an impact on a national level.”

dgenz@dcexaminer.com